With the GOP convention opening this week in
Philadelphia, host Mayor John Street, a Democrat, will be
eager to showcase his city. In Los Angeles in mid-August, host Mayor
Richard Riordan, a Republican, will help culminate months
of efforts in watching the Democratic convention counterpart.

Oddly enough, former Philadelphia Mayor
Ed Rendell now heads the Democratic National Committee.
But his hard work, coupled with the strong support of Pennsylvania
Governor Tom Ridge, and Philadelphia's energetic fund-raising efforts all
helped to bring the GOP convention to Philadelphia.

As convention coverage draws the attention of
the U.S. viewers beginning this week, look for both Mayor Street
and Mayor Riordan to be the center of much media
frenzy.

Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown
visited Cuba July 23rd during a trip aimed at a sister city
relationship between Oakland and the eastern Cuban city of Santiago. It
was Mayor Brown's first visit to Cuba and, during his
visit, the Los Angeles Times on July 25 reported that the mayor called for
an end to U.S. trade sanctions against Cuba. Mayor Brown
also said he hopes the relationship between the two cities will
result in increased exchanges of teachers, musicians, artists and
professionals to visit Oakland and vice versa.